Over the past few years, the UAE Government has rolled out various enticing prospects for foreign investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, and business enthusiasts. Beyond the Digital Nomad Visa and the Freelance Visa, there's the coveted UAE Golden Visa, representing a pathway to permanent residency for Indian citizens.
Understanding the Golden Visa UAE for Indians
The UAE Golden Visa program has a primary goal — to attract substantial investments and foster business growth by offering long-term residency to individuals from diverse fields. This unique visa allows foreign nationals, including Indians, to secure residency for five to ten years in the UAE.
Eligible individuals span a broad spectrum — investors, business entrepreneurs, professors, skilled graduates, scientists, and humanitarian leaders. Each category has its set of criteria, allowing applicants to secure a residence visa for either 5 or 10 years, depending on factors such as the nature of their work, field, and investments.
Exploring the Golden Visa Benefits for Indians
The Golden Visa UAE goes beyond the typical privileges associated with residency. Here are some key advantages, known as the Dubai Golden Visa Benefits:
- Sponsorship Independence: Unlike many visas, the Golden Visa allows non-citizens to reside in the UAE without the need for a sponsor, providing significant autonomy.
- The visa can be renewed every 5 or 10 years, ensuring long-term stability.
- No UAE Sponsor Requirement for Indian Nationals: Indian citizens can secure a 10-year Golden Visa without the necessity of sponsors or employers who are UAE citizens.
- Extended Stay Outside the UAE: Golden Visa holders from India can stay outside the UAE for more than 6 months without jeopardizing their residence status.
- Versatile Usage: This visa enables individuals to work, study, and live in the UAE seamlessly.
- Business Ownership: Golden Visa applicants have complete ownership of their businesses in the UAE, fostering entrepreneurial growth.
- Family Inclusion: Spouses, children, and domestic workers can join Golden Visa holders in the UAE.
- Exclusive Discounts and Offers: Golden Visa holders enjoy discounts on cars, real estate, medical treatment, hotel services, health insurance, and banking services.
- Commercial Partnerships: Golden Visa holders in Abu Dhabi can benefit from commercial partnerships, including property discounts from developer Imkan Properties.
- Financial Perks: Banks like Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank offer reduced mortgage fixed-interest rates for Golden Visa investors.
- Health Insurance Benefits: Reduced premiums on annual health insurance plans with extensive coverage are available for Golden Visa holders and their families.
- Exclusive Offers: Golden Visa holders are entitled to discounts on cars, priority bookings for new releases, special payment facilities, and offers on dining, spa treatments, gyms, and stays at selected hospitality destinations.
Who Qualifies for the UAE Golden Visa from India?
The eligibility criteria for the UAE Golden Visa vary based on the type of investment and the individual's field or industry. The following categories outline specific criteria and duration limitations:
- Investors:
- Investment Fund in Public Investments: Deposit at least AED Two Million in an investment fund (approximately ₹44,851,454).
- Investor's capital must not be less than AED two million (approximately ₹44,851,454).
- Annual tax payment of at least AED 250,000 (approximately ₹5,606,431).
- Entrepreneurs:
- Registered Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Startup: The startup must be registered in the UAE.
- Approval from an official business incubator, the Ministry of Economy, or other competent local authorities.
- Generate no less than AED 1 million (approximately ₹22,425,727).
- Specialized Talents:
- Fields include (but not limited to): Medicine, Science, Culture and Art, Invention, Executive Leadership, Scientific Fields, Athletics, Doctoral Degree Holders, Engineering, and more.
- Recommendation or Approval Required: Approval from federal or competent local authorities.
- Some talents may not require proof of educational qualification, employment status, monthly salary, or professional level.
- Students and Graduates:
- Outstanding Students: Top students from UAE's top universities.
- Criteria include academic performance, cumulative average, year of graduation, and university classification.
- Humanitarian and Frontline Workers:
- Eligible Individuals: Distinguished members of international and regional organizations.
- Outstanding members of public benefit associations.
- Recognition awards in humanitarian fields.
- Frontline workers with extraordinary efforts in crises (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic).
Document Requirements for UAE Golden Visa
Before applying for the UAE Golden Visa, applicants must go through the initial step of obtaining an entry permit. Once the entry permit is secured, the following documents are required:
- A Valid Passport.
- Passport-Size Pictures.
- Bank Statement for the Past 6 Months.
- Medical Examination Reports.
- Health Insurance (Minimum One Year).
- Immigration Establishment Card.
- Travel Itineraries (Flight Tickets and Hotel Accommodation).
- Proof of Housing (Ownership Document or Rental Agreement).
- Additional Documents as Requested.
For specific work fields, additional requirements may apply:
- Investors:
- UAE entry permit.
- Letter from an approved investment fund.
- Property ownership letter from the Real Estate Registration Department.
- Federal Tax Authority letter with proof of tax payment.
- Recommendation letter from the Ministry of Economy.
- Entrepreneurs:
- Approval letter from a UAE auditor.
- Approval letter stating project feasibility and meeting future goals.
- Approval letter from an accredited business incubator.
- Letter of nomination from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.
- Specialized Talents:
- Varies based on the specific field (e.g., medicine, science, culture and art).
- Approval letter from relevant authorities or councils.
- Students and Graduates:
- Letter of recommendation from the Ministry of Education.
- Letter of recommendation from the school or university.
- Academic reports from a reputed institution.
- Proof of GPA for university students.
- Humanitarian and Frontline Workers:
- Recognition awards or proof of extraordinary efforts in crises.
Note: The document list is a guideline; additional documents may be required, and visa applications can be rejected without complete documentation.
How to Obtain a Golden Visa in the UAE for Indians
Follow these steps to navigate the Golden Visa application process:
Step 1: Obtain UAE Entry Permit
Obtain the UAE Entry Permit on the ICA website, valid for six months.
The entry permit is a prerequisite for traveling to the UAE and applying for the Golden Visa.
Step 2: Initiate Visa Application Process
Commence the Golden Visa application process on the GDRFA website.
Choose the 'Investor Residency Visa (Golden Visa)' from the service list.
Start the application process upon entering the UAE.
Step 3: Await Visa Confirmation
After completing the online application, await confirmation via email.
Receive important information and instructions through the provided email address.
The UAE Golden Visa for Indians presents an extraordinary opportunity for a fulfilling life in one of the world's most dynamic cities. Beyond granting residency, it opens doors to boundless growth and possibilities. Seize the moment, embark on this journey today, and embrace the wealth of opportunities awaiting Indian citizens in Dubai.